Robnett: It’s necessary to consider new animal shelter

Midland city council is looking to expand the City of Midland Animal Shelter, seen 02/27/18. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram

Midland city council is looking to expand the City of Midland Animal Shelter, seen 02/27/18. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram

Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

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Midland city council is looking to expand the City of Midland Animal Shelter, seen 02/27/18. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram

Midland city council is looking to expand the City of Midland Animal Shelter, seen 02/27/18. Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram

Photo: Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

Robnett: It’s necessary to consider new animal shelter

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Is a new animal shelter in the works?

That is the goal for the Midland City Council, which on Tuesday approved calling for qualifications for architects for the design of a new animal shelter.

The city is still working to identify final funding, but “we are well on our way,” according to Councilman Spencer Robnett. He also wrote in an email to the Reporter-Telegram that a tentative schedule calls for a design this year, construction in 2019 and an opening in 2020.

Robnett also said the city wants to explore the idea of a new shelter and there is a sense of urgency about getting a new facility. He said that after multiple tours of the shelter, he thinks it is “undersized, overcrowded and out of date.”

This request for qualifications is to engage an architectural/engineering firm to provide design, plans, specifications, and architectural services for the construction of a new animal shelter and he demolition of the existing facility, according to city documents.

Robnett said a possible location for a new shelter is just to the east of the current facility, which is located on Fairgrounds Road. He said if there is enough space, the old facility would remain open while the new shelter is being built. Once the new shelter is completed, the old one would be demolished to make way for parking.

Project costs are unknown at this time, but funding will be sought from the private sector and from the city, which he said is ready to step up and contribute.

Paul O’Neill, former Animal Services director, told the Reporter-Telegram last year that the shelter – which had been renovated – had another 20 to 25 years of life. He said at the time that the shelter needed a larger staff, an increase to its air flow and lighting and repairs to its floor.

The Reporter-Telegram reported last year that the city ran had a tough time with the shelter and sickness being spread around because of issues with the floors and walls.

Tracye Gearhart with Midland Animal Shelter Adoptables (MASA) previously told the Reporter-Telegram that the number of animals coming into the shelter every day – 15 to 20, she said, -- is putting too much pressure on current shelter facilities (48 regular-size kennels and two puppy pen kennels for litters and mothers).

The impact is more animals having to be euthanized, she said.

The city reports that from the beginning of 2013 through 2017, there were 36,986 animals impounded and 13,015 euthanized.

Robnett said a new shelter will put the city in a better position to take care of all animals, which could mean having to kill fewer dogs and cats.

“This is something we need to change,” Robnett said. “We want to build a world-class animal shelter that meets the needs of the community.”